Spring motor



Patented Dec. 23, 1924.

UNI T ED S TA TES P AT EN T OF F'I E DANIEL E. 0330M, OF BENNETTSVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA.

SPRING IMOTOR.

Application filed October 13, 1923 Serial No. 668,301.

To V Z who/1t it may concern.

Be it known that I, Dam-no E. Onorr, a vcitizen of the United States, residing at Bennettsville, in the county of Marlboro and titate of South Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring Motors, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accon'ipauying drawn gs.

T his invention relates to certain improvements in spring motors and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character wherein overwinding of the spring is prevented, the present invention being primariiy an improvement on the embodiment of my invention as com'arised in my pending application Serial No. (505,299, filed December 6, 1922.

it is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character embodying a spring and a driven member associated therewith and wherein the tension of the spring nor mally maintains the same in driving connection with the driven member and which connection between the spring and driven member comprises an arcuate spring member which coacts with the driven member to assure the requisite rotation of the driven member to wind the spring until the tension of the spring has reached a predetermined degree whereupon said arcuate spring member becomes inoperative with respect to the driven member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character wherein the connection between the driven member and the spring is of a character to prevent breaking or cracking at the connection and which also serves to provide, in addition to a positive interlock with the driven. member, additional frictional means to assure the proper operation of the device to wind the spring to the desired predetermined tension.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved spring motor whereby certain im portant advantages are attained and the de vice rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, 1 will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the acconr panying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a sectional view taken through a motor constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, showing the spring completely wound;

Figure 2- is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrow;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the loci-Zing member in proper gagenient with the driven member or drum Figure a is a view in perspective of the locking spring or member :unapplied.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, D ClGl'iOtlGE; a drum or driven member of requisite dimensions and which is mo.unt ed upon the shaft S, said drum D or shaft S having relative rotation under the instrumentality of the spring A. The spring A is of the conventional spirl type and has its inner end portion suitably fixed, as at 1, to the shaft S.

The outer end portion of the spring A is riveted or otherwise secured, as at 2, to an end portion of the locking member M. The locking member M comprises an arcuate resilient band of spring steel or the like and normally of a length in excess of a semicircle, said member M extending around the applied spring A and having a close contact with the inner face of the peripheral wall of the drum 1).

The member M at a predetermined point inwardly of its connection 2 but preferably in relatively close proximity thereto is provided with an outstanding head or rib 3 disposed transversely of the member M. This bead or rib 3 may be formed in any desired manner but as herein disclosed is pressed out from the member M proper.

hen the spring A is unwound the member M at substantially all points between its ends is in close contact with the inner face of the peripheral wall of the drum 1) and the bead or rib 3 engages within one of the grooves or channels 4 disposed transversely of the peripheral wall of the drum D. The grooves or channels 4 are disposed entirely around the drum D and equidistantly spaced one with respect to the other,

said grooves or channels 4:, as herein disclosed, being provided by proper corrugation of said peripheral wall.

The inner extremity of the spring A is secured to said shaft S, so that upon requisite rotation of the shaft S the spring A will be rewound thereon. Vhen the spring A reaches a tension of predetermined. degree or is substantially completely Wound, the bead or rib 3 will move freely over the grooves or channels a so that the continued rotation of the shaft S will not turn the drum I) so that further winding of the spring Ais avoided. As the rib or bead 8 passes over the grooves or channels 4, a sound will be produced to give audible sig nal that the spring A has been sufficiently wound.

It is important that the member M be of a. length in excess of a semi-circle as by this means it is assured that a considerable part of the member M at its free portion will at all times be in contact with the wall of the drum D whereby the requisite ten sion at the opposite or connected end portion of said member M will be assured. Furthermore by having the member of such length it is further assured that the liability of the member breaking, cracking or otherwise becoming injured and unfit for use is substantially eliminated. Also by having the member M of a material length, the locking action of the member M is further facilitated by the frictional resistance offered by contact of the member M with the wall of the drum D.

After the spring A has been properly wound, the tension of the spring A or more particularly the outer convolution together.

With the inherent resiliency of the member M will cause the bead or rib 3 of the member M to engage within a groove or channel 4:.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a spring motor constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modilication without departing from the prin ciples and spirit thereof and for this rea son I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invent-ion in practice ex cept as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. In combination with two members supported for relative rotation, a spiral spring having one end portion secured to one of said members, an arcuate resilient member pressing against the second member, means for connecting the opposite end portion of the spring to said resilient member, and means carried by the second member and interlocking with the arcuate member at a point adjacent the connection of the arcuate member and the spring, said second member and arcuate member being normally held in engagement by tension of the spring.

2. In combination with two members supported for relative rotation, a spiral spring having one end portion secured to one of said members, an arcuate resilient member pressing against the second member, means for connecting the opposite end portion of the spring to said resilient member, and interlocking means carried by the second member and the arcuate member normally held in engagement by tension of the spring, said arcuate member being in excess of a semicircle, the interlocking means carried by the arcuate member being positioned in relatively close proximity to the inner end of said arcuate member.

3. In combination with two members supported forrelative rotation, a spiral spring having one end portion secured to one of said members, an arcuate resilient member pressing against the second member, means for connecting the opposite end portion of the spring to said resilient memher, the second member being provided with a wall having a series of spaced grooves, the connected end portion of the arcuate member being provided with an outstanding bead to seat within one of said grooves.

In testimony whereof I hereunto my signature.

DANIEL E. OD OM. 

